"Let's be happy, gather 'round, 'cause it's time for you and me to sing a song as we jog along to the Chuck-Wagon Jamboree!"

To western fans, he will always be best known as Festus Haggen, the grizzled and cantankerous sidekick of Sheriff Matt Dillon on the CBS television series "Gunsmoke." Complete with a three-day growth of beard and a dry-throated voice, Ken Curtis co-starred on the series for eleven years and became one of the best-loved comedic actors in television history.

But even die-hard fans of Dodge City may not realize that, in the years just after World War II, their favorite western deputy was, in fact, a singing cowboy -- the star of his own movie series at Columbia Pictures and a musical radio favorite to boot.

Born in Colorado in 1916, Curtis Wain Gates was the son of a homesteader, Dan Gates, and his wife, the former Millie Sneed. Spending most of his formative years in Las Animas, Colorado (“I grew up 100 miles from Dodge City," he later said), Curtis was twelve years old when his father was first elected to the post of county sheriff. “Our living quarters were on the ground floor and the cells were upstairs. Mother used to cook the meals for the prisoners and I took them up to the cells while she held a shotgun in her hands in case any of them got frisky.” His youth appears to have been largely uneventful and, aside from occasionally standing in as sheriff when his father was away and playing the saxophone in his high school band, there seems to be little indication of the career he was destined to enjoy; in fact, when he attended college in Colorado Springs after graduating from high school, his intention was to study medicine. However, at college, he found he had an aptitude for singing and songwriting and, in the mid-1930s, he decided to leave college and head for the west coast to try his luck in the music business.

Then as now, it was difficult to be successful in the highly competitive world of popular music and it didn't take long before Curtis realized he simply wasn't exceptional enough to become an overnight sensation. Alone in Los Angeles and in need of work, he hooked up with a small band and began accepting musical engagements at small nightclubs. Legend has it that, one night, Cecil B. DeMille's secretary was in the audience, liked what she heard, and recommended him to her boss for a possible movie role. This chance for stardom, unfortunately, didn't end up leading anywhere -- but, having proven himself to be a melodic and reliable vocalist, he soon began singing anonymously on various network radio shows and was also given the chance to regularly record 'demos' - recordings of newly-written popular songs, designed to be distributed to bandleaders in hopes that their orchestras might add them to their repertoire. One 'demo', featuring a song written by composer Harold Arlen, made its way to bandleader Tommy Dorsey; Dorsey didn't much care for the song, but he was in need of a new male singer -- and so got in contact with Curtis and offered to pay his way to New York to rehearse and sing with the band. Dorsey didn't much care for the name Curtis Gates, though, and decided that it should be changed; thus, having been hired to sing with one of the top bands in the country, Curtis Gates became Ken Curtis.

Joining Dorsey mid-engagement at the Paramount Theater, Ken successfully filled the shoes vacated earlier by singers Frank Sinatra and Dick Haymes, but his tenure was fairly brief and may, in fact, have been temporary from the start. After leaving Dorsey, he began singing with the band of Shep Fields, a bandleader best known for his "Rippling Rhythm" musical style but, after Pearl Harbor, Curtis knew that it was only a matter of time before he would be drafted. He chose instead to enlist in the infantry in 1942 and, after a military career spent serving in the Pacific, he was honorably discharged in 1945.

After the war, Curtis resumed his singing career by appearing in a number of guest spots on radio. One such spot - for which he was recommended by a friend, former Dorsey singing alumnus Jo Stafford - was on a radio show hosted by singer/composer Johnny Mercer. On the program, Curtis sang “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” - apparently the first time he had performed a country-tinged ballad on the air. On the strength of his appearance with Mercer, Columbia Pictures called to audition him for a new series of musical B-westerns they were considering producing. Passing his screen test with flying colors, Curtis was soon cast as Columbia's newest singing cowboy - eventually appearing in eight western films between 1945 and 1946, often with the novelty musical ensemble the Hoosier Hot Shots. (Considering that Tommy Dorsey had renamed him Ken, it’s interesting to note that, in most of his westerns, his character's first name is once again Curt or Curtis.) The low-budget films, running only about one hour in length, were successful at Saturday matinees and as second features and usually featured support from character stalwarts like Guy Kibbee and Guinn "Big Boy" Williams, but were not particularly distinguished plot-wise. “I’d stop in the middle of a gun fight and sing a song,” was how Curtis would later describe the acting requirements of his early film career.

By 1947, the era of the singing cowboy was drawing to a close and Curtis' Columbia contract was cancelled. By this time, however, Curtis had made multiple appearances on radio shows and was always in demand for more. With his clear, smooth tenor and a likeable, boyish nature, he perfectly fit the bill of the clean-cut and wholesome cowboy singer, which led to multiple appearances on radio's "Hollywood Barn Dance" and "The All Star Western Theater." He also came to the attention of the Hollywood-based Teleways Radio Productions, a recording company specializing in syndicated musical programs featuring popular western music stars. Teleways had been founded in 1946 and was already successfully syndicating quarter-hour shows starring the Sons of the Pioneers and Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage. Their idea was to feature Curtis in a fifteen-minute five-a-week daily program patterned after similar network musical shows, as well as shows recorded and syndicated by the Missouri-based RadiOzark Enterprises and the Los Angeles-based C. P. MacGregor Company.

Joining Ken Curtis on this new series of shows, titled "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree," was a batch of talented studio musicians called The Novelty Aces, who would support Curtis musically in his solo numbers, appear as laughing and joking hillbilly hicks between songs, and also be featured in their own musical numbers. Art West, a talented musician and composer in his own right, was hired as both announcer and performer, and two of the singers would change their voices and appear as "The Goon Holler Twins" for twangy duets. Musically, the tone was decidedly down-home, with selections ranging all the way from Stephen Foster favorites to barbershop ballads, from spirituals to fiddle break-downs, and from popular tunes to a daily close-harmony hymn that would close each program on a peaceful note. Curtis would generally be featured in two songs per program, often choosing his selections from the popular recordings of western performers like Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Bob Wills, and Al Dexter, and emphasizing the ballads that had made him a singing cowboy in the first place.

Judging from the length of the series - 131 shows in all - "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree" seems to have been quite successful in various markets - particularly in the south and southwest - and was syndicated for about two years, alongside other Teleways productions. The shows themselves were recorded in Los Angeles in three to six minute segments, complete with openings and closings, and then pressed on 16" vinyl discs for national distribution. (Following the standard practice of the time, segments were sequenced to allow advertising to be inserted by local stations.) There's no question that "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree" did a lot for Ken Curtis' singing career; by 1949, he had not only returned to filmmaking - appearing in various westerns for independent studios and also for Republic Pictures - but had also been hired as the lead singer for the Sons of the Pioneers, a good fit musically, personally, and financially. (He would continue singing lead with the group until 1953.)

Heard today, "Chuck-Wagon Jamboree" still has much to offer. Reminiscent of "The Grand Old Opry" and, particularly, "The National Barn Dance," the series is a tuneful throwback to a simpler time when cowboys rode the range with their guitar by their side and everyone knew the old songs they had learned on their grandmother's knee. While listening to these shows, don't be surprised if you discover you actually remember all the words to an old hymn you used to sing as a child or find yourself humming along to a time-honored western favorite. Taken from an original set of 16" Teleways transcription recordings and fully restored for beautiful, high-fidelity sound, here’s your invitation to stop by the Jamboree and join in the fun. I bet you'll have a wonderful time.

The Old Chisholm Trail (#2)
Musical selections include "The Old Chisholm Trail," "It's a Lonely Trail,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "The Donkey Serenade," "The Voice in the Old Village Choir,"
and "Oh Susannah," "Throw a Saddle on a Star" from Ken's Columbia picture of the same name,
and the closing hymn "God Will Take Care of You."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

The Cowboy's Lament (#3)
Musical selections include "The Cowboy's Lament (Git Along Little Doggies)," "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Hi-Diddle-Diddle," "When I'm With You," and "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow,"
"Ridin' Down the Canyon," and the closing hymn "My Jesus, I Love Thee."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Skip to My Lou (#6)
Musical selections include "Skip to My Lou," "Whisperin' Wind,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Chicken Reel," "My Dear Ol' Southern Home,"
and "Lindy by the Watermelon Vine," "Let the Rest of the World Go By," and the old standard "Rock of Ages."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Old Dan Tucker (#7)
The program opens with "Old Dan Tucker," followed by "Back Home in Indiana,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Rickett's Hornpipe," "You're a Part of My Heart," and "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles,"
a Curtis solo on Cole Porter's "Don't Fence Me In," and the closing hymn "Steal Away."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Way Out There (#9)
Ken and all the gang open the show with "Way Out There," followed by "Wanderers of the Wasteland,"
a 'Memory Medley' of "Over the Rainbow," "Homesick," and "Hillbilly Wedding in June,"
Ken Curtis performing "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" and the closing hymn "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Skyball Paint (#11)
The show opens with "Skyball Paint," followed by "The Timber Trail,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "South," "Danny Boy," and "Pony Boy," "The Singing Hills," and "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Rise and Shine (#12)
It's a spirited program, as Ken and the rest of the chuck wagon gang perform "Rise and Shine," followed by "Wagon Wheel,"
a 'Memory Medley' of "Blackberry Rag," "Be Honest with Me," and "A Bicycle Built for Two."
Ken Curtis continues the show with "My Adobe Hacienda" and closes with "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Black-Eyed Susie (#13)
The program opens with "Black-Eyed Susie," followed by the cowboy lullaby "My Little Buckeroo,"
a 'Memory Medley' consisting of "My Darling Clementine," "Love's Old Sweet Song," and the spiritual "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel."
Ken Curtis sings "There's Silver on the Sage Tonight," and the program closes with "Sweeter as the Years Go By."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Down the Trail to San Antone (#15)
Musical selections include "Down the Trail to San Antone," the ballad "Nellie Gray,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Listen to the Mockingbird," "Sweet and Low," and "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad,"
followed by a Ken Curtis solo on "The Cowboy's Serenade," and, as the closing hymn, "Just As I Am."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Santa Fe Town (#16)
The program opens with "Santa Fe Town," followed by "Tomorrow's in the Sky,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Limehouse Blues," "Don't 'Sweetheart' Me," and the quartet favorite "Some Folks Do,"
a Curtis solo on "Old Ranger," and the closing hymn "The Little Brown Church in the Vale."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

The Yellow Rose of Texas (#17)
A program of western classics includes "The Yellow Rose of Texas," "When the Bloom is on the Sage,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Stardust," Annie Laurie," and "When You Wore a Tulip,"
a Ken Curtis specialty, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," and the closing hymn "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Wait for the Wagon (#18)
The show opens with "Wait for the Wagon," followed by "When It's Nighttime in Nevada,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Little Brown Jug," "Goin' Down the Mountain," and "You Tell Me Your Dream,"
a Ken Curtis solo on "The Strawberry Blonde on the Strawberry Roan," and, in closing, the old standard "The Ninety-and-Nine."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

The Oklahoma Hills (#19)
Musical selections include "The Oklahoma Hills," "Old Faithful,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Comin' Thru the Rye," "Carry Me Back to Ol' Virginny," and "Good Night, Ladies,"
followed by "Got to Get Me Somebody to Love" and "I Love to Tell the Story."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

And the Great Big Saw Came Nearer (#21)
The Jamboree opens with that melodramatic classic "And the Great Big Saw Came Nearer,"
followed by a medley of "Down on the Levee" and "Birmingham Jail,"
a 'Memory Medley' consisting of "In My Blue Ridge Mountain Home," "Lookin' Through a Window," and "One, Two, Three, Four,"
a Curtis solo on "The Dew's on the Meadow," and, as a closing hymn, "Rescue the Perishing."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Hold That Critter Down (#22)
Musical selections include "Hold That Critter Down," "Mexicali Rose,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Sourwood Mountain," "How Come You Do Me Like You Do?" and "Down by the Old Mill Stream,"
followed by "Blue Bonnet Girl" and the old standard "Almost Persuaded."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain (#23)
The show opens with a folk standard "She'll Be Comin' 'Round the Mountain," followed by "Trail of the Mountain Rose,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Soldier's Joy." "My Old Kentucky Home," and "Kentucky Babe,"
"Over the Santa Fe Trail," and "Have Thine Own Way."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

There's a Blue Sky Way Out Yonder (#25)
Musical selections include "There's a Blue Sky Way Out Yonder," "Home on the Range,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Bugle Call Rag," "Shine On Harvest Moon."
and "Heaben Heaben," "A New Ten-Gallon Hat," and "Blessed Assurance."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

The Crawdad Song (#26)
The show opens with "The Crawdad Song," followed by "Springtime in the Rockies,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Glendy Burke," "Don't Do It," and "On Moonlight Bay,"
followed by "Cimmaron" and "Oh, Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Ida Red (#27)
Musical selections include "Ida Red," "Along the Navajo Trail,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Indian Love Call," "There's a Long, Long Trail," and "Drifting and Dreaming,"
a Ken Curtis solo on "Indian Summer" and, as a closing hymn, that old spiritual "Shall We Gather at the River."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Little Black Bronc (#29)
The program opens with "Little Black Bronc," followed by "In the Gloaming,"
and a 'Memory Medley' including "The Arkansas Traveler," "Lamp Lighting Time in the Valley,"
and "The Sidewalks of New York." Ken Curtis continues the show with Foy Willing's ballad "Someone Won Your Heart,"
and the show closes with the hymn "All the Way My Savior Leads Me."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Goin' Back to Texas (#30)
Musical selections include "Goin' Back to Texas," "The Boss is Hanging Out a Rainbow,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Steel Guitar Rag," "Foggy River," and "Bye Bye Blues," "Mojave," and "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Whoa, Mule, Whoa (#31)
The Jamboree opens with "Whoa, Mule, Whoa," followed by "As We Ride Down the Old Prairie Trail,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Bile That Cabbage Down," "Amapola," and "Left My Gal in the Mountains,"
a Ken Curtis solo on "Far Horizons." and the closing hymn Bringing in the Sheaves."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

When Payday Rolls Around (#33)
The show opens with "When Payday Rolls Around," followed by "Over the Santa Fe Trail,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "When Irish Eyes are Smiling," "Wonder Valley," and "Down in the Old Cherry Orchard,"
followed by Hoagy Carmichael's "Ol' Buttermilk Sky," and, in closing, "The Way of the Cross Leads Home."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Old Dan Tucker (#34)
"Old Dan Tucker" is the opening song, followed by Gene Autry's theme song, "Back in the Saddle Again,"
and a 'Memory Medley' including "Cacklin' Hen," "Exactly Like You," and "In the Good Old Summertime."
Ken Curtis continues the show with "Its Dark Outside," and the program closes with "I'm the Child of a King."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Song of the Pioneers (#35)
Musical selections include "Song of the Pioneers," "I'm Never Never Lonely,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree," "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,"
and "In the Evening in the Moonlight," followed by Ken Curtis singing "It's the End of the Trail, Old Timer"
and, in closing, "Beneath the Cross of Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

I Like Mountain Music (#36)
In an appropriate opening, the Jamboree gang all joins in to perform "I Like Mountain Music,"
after which Ken Curtis sings "Ridin' That Old Crooked Trail."
The 'Memory Medley' includes "Springtime in the Rockies," featuring Jerry and his singing balloon,
"Mississippi Valley Blues," and a barbershop quartet version of "In the Little Red Schoolhouse."
Ken Curtis continues the show with a reprise of "Don't Fence Me In" and the closing hymn is "Steal Away."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Open Up Them Pearly Gates (#37)
Its spiritual time, as the program opens with "Open Up Them Pearly Gates."
The western ballad "We'll Rest at the End of the Trail" is next,
followed by a 'Memory Medley' of "Personality," "My Mammy's Lullaby," and "Shine,"
Ken Curtis singing "When the Prairie Flowers Are in Bloom," and the closing hymn "Wonderful Words of Life."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Little Liza Jane (#38)
The program opens with the down-home standard "Little Liza Jane," followed by "The Wheel of the Wagon is Broken,"
a 'Memory Medley' featuring "Fisher's Hornpipe," Emmy Lou singing "Yodeling Cowgirl,"
and the quartet harmonizing on "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
Next, Ken Curtis is "Singing on the Trail" and the show closes with "My Faith Looks Up to Thee."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

New River Train (#39)
In a particularly entertaining show, the whole gang opens the program with "New River Train,"
Ken Curtis is featured singing the ballad "Moon Over Montana," a 'Memory Medley' included "Old Joe Clark,"
"Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair," and "Mary Lou," Curtis returns to sing "Across the Alley from the Alamo"
and the program closes with the hymn "In the Sweet By and By."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

I'm an Old Cowhand (#41)
This Premier Collection closes with a show featuring "I'm an Old Cowhand," "There's an Echo in the Valley,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "Twelfth Street Rag," "Juanita," and "Aloha Oe (Farewell to Thee),"
a Ken Curtis solo in "My Saddle Serenade" (written by Susie and announcer Art West) and, in closing, "Jesus is Calling Today."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

The Fireball Mail (#42)
Musical selections include "The Fireball Mail," "The Song of the Bandit,"
a 'Memory Medley' featuring "Buffalo Gals" with Jerry on the fiddle, Emmy Lou soloing of "Smoky Mountain Bill,"
and a vocal quartet rendition of "Sippin' Cider through a Straw." Ken Curtis returns to sing "The Funny Old Hills"
and the program closes with the hymn "Lead Kindly Light"
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

I Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode Away (#43)
The program opens with "I Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode Away," followed by "The Old Spinning Wheel,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Goober," "There'll Come a Day," and "Down on the Old Plantation,"
followed by Ken singing "When Day is Done" and the closing hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

One More River to Cross (#44)
Musical selections include "One More River to Cross," "Leanin' on the Old Top Rail,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Ida Red," "Some of These Days," and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I Seen,"
followed by "That Pioneer Mother of Mine" and "I'm Praying for You."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

San Antonio Rose (#46)
Musical selections include "San Antonio Rose," "Carry Me Back to the Lone Prairie,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Mississippi Sawyer," "Sweethearts or Strangers," and the quartet vocalizing on "Moonlight and Roses,"
Ken Curtis singing "Where the Mountains Meet the Sky" and the show closes with the rousing "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Take Me Home Boys Tonight (#47)
The show opens with "Take Me Home Boys Tonight," followed by "The Missouri Waltz,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Rochester Schottische," "Silver Threads Among the Gold," and "Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider,"
a Ken Curtis solo on "Heading for the Great Divide," and the closing hymn "Stand Up for Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Careless Love (#48)
"Careless Love" is the opening number, followed by "Back Home in Ol' San Antone,"
a 'Memory Medley' of "Casey Jones," "Feudin' Fussin' and Fightin'," and "In My Little Red Book,"
followed by "Song of the Sierras" and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

The Covered Wagon Rolled Right Along (#50)
Today's program includes "The Covered Wagon Rolled Right Along," "The Night-Herding Song,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Wake Up Susie," "Shoe Shine Boy," and "Standing in the Need of Prayer,"
a Curtis solo on "Prairie Serenade," taken from his Columbia picture "Texas Jamboree" and the closing hymn "Work for the Night is Coming."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Hold That Critter Down (#78)
The program opens with "Hold That Critter Down," followed by "Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle,"
and a 'Memory Medley' offering "Turkey in the Straw," "Lazy River," and "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean."
After the center commercial, Ken Curtis returns to sing "Sierra Sue" and the show closes with "Abide With Me."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Shortnin' Bread (#79)
"Shortnin' Bread" is the opening number, followed by "When the White Azaleas Start Blooming,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Begin the Beguine," "Carolina Moon," and "Dixie,"
followed by Ken Curtis singing "A Gal in Calico" and, for the closing hymn, "Take Time to Be Holy."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Behind Those Swinging Doors (#80)
Musical selections include "Behind Those Swinging Doors," "An Old Sweet Song for a Sweet Old Lady,
a 'Memory Medley' offering "The Old Grey Mare," "Lovin' Ducky Daddy," and "Down in the Cornfield,"
Ken Curtis singing "Along the Navajo Trail," and "The Unclouded Day."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Detour (#81)
The show opens with the country swing classic "Detour," followed by "After the Ball,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Chicken Reel," "It Was an Old Fashioned Garden," and "I've Been Working on the Railroad,"
and then Ken Curtis singing "The Utah Trail" and, as a closing hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

There is a Tavern in the Town (#83)
Musical selections include "There is a Tavern in the Town," "Riding Down the Red Rock Canyon Trail,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Soldier's Joy," "Born to Lose," and "My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon,"
followed by Ken singing "When It's Nighttime in Nevada" and, in closing, "Count Your Blessings."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Sweet Betsy from Pike (#85)
Musical selections include "Sweet Betsy from Pike," "When You and I Were Young, Maggie,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Hail Hail the Gang's All Here," "The Girl I Love in Sunny Tennessee,"
and "Who Broke the Lock on the Henhouse Door," followed by "It Makes No Difference Now" and "Sun of My Soul Thou Saviour Dear."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Mama Don't Allow (#86)
Musical selections include "Mama Don't Allow," "Over the Rainbow,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Hickory Dickory Dock," "I'll Never Let You Go," and "Little David,"
followed by "South of the Border" and "Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Keep on the Sunny Side (#88)
Musical selections include "Keep on the Sunny Side," "Sleepy Rio Grande,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Little Bo Peep," "In the Cumberland Mountains," and "I Want to Go Back to West Virginia,"
followed by "Mexicali Rose" and, to conclude the show, the hymn "O Worship the King."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Jubilo (#89)
Musical selections include "Jubilo," "The One Rose,"
a 'Memory Medley' including "See-Saw Marjorie Daw," "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes," and "Sailing Over the Bounding Maine,"
followed by Ken soloing on "My Way Back Home" and, in closing, "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

I'm Riding That Long, Long Trail (#90)
Musical selections include "I'm Riding That Long, Long Trail," "Tired Little Wrangler,"
a 'Memory Medley' consisting of "Reuben and Rachel," "I Only Want a Buddy, Not a Sweetheart,"
and "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree," followed by a Curtis solo on "Ain't No Gal Got a Brand on Me"
and, in closing, "I Am Thine O Lord (Draw Me Nearer)."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Down Quintana Way (#93)
Musical selections include "Down Quintana Way," "The Whiffenpoof Song,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Over the Waves," "And Then It Happened," and "The Old Oaken Bucket,"
followed by a Ken Curtis solo on "The Sweep of My Sombrero" and, as a closing hymn, "Where He Leads Me I Will Follow."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Way Down in Dixie (#94)
Today's show offers "Way Down in Dixie," "There's a Patch of Land,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Yankee Doodle," "Peach-Pickin' Time in Georgia," and "Down in Jungle Town,"
followed by Ken Curtis singing "Leaning on the Old Top Rail" and, in closing, "Lily of the Valley."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Footprints in the Snow (#99)
Musical selections include "Footprints in the Snow," "There's a Round-Up in the Sky,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Red Wing," "Slumber Song," and "My Mother Was a Lady,"
a Ken Curtis solo on the western classic "Red River Valley" and, in closing, the rousing spiritual "(Give Me That) That Old Time Religion."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

That Old White Mule of Mine (#100)
The program opens with "That Old White Mule of Mine," followed by " Down the Old Chuckwagon Road,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "On the Dixie Bee Line," "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette," and "Down by the Riverside,"
followed by Ken Curtis soloing on "The West is Wild as Ever" and, in closing, "Yield Not to Temptation."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Stay a Little Longer (#101)
The show opens with the country western classic "Stay a Little Longer," followed by "My Saddle Serenade,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Loch Lomond," "When the Sunshine Turns the Ocean's Blue to Gold," and "Roll, Jordan, Roll,"
followed by a Ken Curtis solo on the ballad "You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven"
and, in closing, the hymn "Take the Name of Jesus with You."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Keep in the Middle of the Road (#104)
Musical selections include "Keep in the Middle of the Road," "The Little Old Church in the Valley,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "Chuckwagon Boogie," "Billy Boy," and "Dez Bones Gwine Rise Again,"
followed by a Ken Curtis solo on "A Lonely Cowboy's Prayer" and, in closing, the spiritual classic "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?"
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Wait for the Light to Shine (#106)
Musical selections include "Wait for the Light to Shine," "No One Will Ever Know,"
a 'Memory Medley' containing "The Preacher and the Bear," "Time Changes Everything," and "The Bowery,"
Ken Curtis singing "You Are My Sunshine" and, in closing, the old standard "Throw Out the Lifeline."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Take Me Back to Tulsa (#113)
There's a touch of western swing in the air as the program opens with "Take Me Back to Tulsa," followed by "Chant of the Wanderer,"
a 'Memory Medley' offering "Chloe," "Old Folks at Home" (a.k.a. "Swanee River"),
and "I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl that Married Dear Old Dad),"
followed by Ken singing "Red Silk Stockings and Green Perfume" and, in closing, "Day is Dying in the West."
1948/49 - 15:00 - Teleways Radio Productions Syndication

Victor
and if you see HarleyRider/Electraglide on the boards, thank him . . I got these programs from him, then I added the write-up (not mine) and the scans_________________at 9:05am on Jan 27th, my buddy left me
R.I.P. my loving friend
A righteous man regards the life of his animal

Mike...yeah, one of the Wikipedias said that "Ripcord" heightened an interest in the subject of 'skydiving' . I guess not too many people were aware of it, before this show...or, didn't think about it that much._________________Gil

This NBC alternate history series aired 13 episodes from October 4th to December 27th
It featured actors like Ed Begley, Alexander Scourby, Hal Studer and Santos Ortega.
The episodes were written by Mort Lewis and George Faulkner, directed by Fred Weihe
and announced by Lionel Ricco. Its 30 minutes aired Sunday nights at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Each episode had an alternate history point of divergence and dramatized the results of that change.
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Stroke Of Fate. November 29, 1953. NBC net. Sustaining.
What might of happened if the French had defeated the British at the Battle of Quebec. 29:28.

Stroke Of Fate. December 6, 1953. NBC net. Sustaining.
What might of happened if Russia had changed her mind and decided to keep Alaska. 29:38.

Stroke Of Fate. December 13, 1953. NBC net. Sustaining.
What might of happened if Alexander the Great had not died at the age of 32.
Alexander Scourby, Santos Ortega. 29:13.

Stroke Of Fate. December 20, 1953. NBC net. Sustaining.
What might of happened if America's first secret weapon, the submarine, had succeeded. 28:58.

Stroke Of Fate. December 27, 1953. NBC net. Sustaining. The last show of the series.
What might have happened if the Normans had not conquered England. 30:25.
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